To Cleveland with Love: Cavs-Timberwolves Finalize Blockbuster But Must Wait to Exchange Players

Adrian Wojnarowskireports that the all-but-done deal between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers is finally a done deal. Almost. Sorta. Kinda.

Once Andrew Wiggins’s one-month, post-rookie-contract grace period ends, the deal will go through. But an agreement is in place between the two franchises.

The blockbuster trade sends power forward Kevin Love from Minnesota to Cleveland. Love, who scored 26 points and grabbed 12.5 rebounds per game last season, joins LeBron James in a revamped frontcourt that now plays among the league’s most formidable. Along with guard Kyrie Irving, Love and James constitute a “big three” for Cleveland fans to peg championship hopes upon.

In exchange, the Timberwolves receive the first pick in this year’s draft (Andrew Wiggins), the first pick in last year’s draft (Anthony Bennett), and one of Cleveland’s first-round picks in the 2015 draft.

The deal hinged on Love agreeing to terms on a long-term deal with the Cavaliers. Wojnarowski writes, “Cleveland is making the deal with Minnesota with a firm agreement Love will opt out of his contract in 2015 and re-sign with the Cavaliers on a five-year, $120 million-plus contract extension.”

The teams reportedly will formalize the trade on August 23–one month after the #1 pick in the draft signed his contract–when NBA rules allow Cleveland to ship Wiggins elsewhere.